Santana to the Red Sox

by cmathewson on Dec 4, 2007 10:29 AM EST

Nothing is confirmed, but several sources indicate that the Twins will accept the Red Sox offer of Lester, Crisp, Lowrie and Masterson, including LEN3, who stayed up until 2 a.m. waiting for official word.

Meanwhile, that Yankees Blowhard is saying the trade with the Twins is "probably off", leaving the Red Sox the prime suitor.

So if the reports are true, the Sox will try to get a deal done with Peter Greenberg, Santana's agent, before the end of the winter meetings. Don't expect an official announcement from the Twins or Sox until then, but there are saying roughly the same thing as LEN3, that I would be shocked if it didn't happen.

This means the Twins are hoping Crisp can rebound to his 2005 form, when he was an above average offensive player to go along with his above average defense. They also get Lowrie--who I think is the key to the deal as Bartlett's apparent backfill--and Lester, who will instantly become the Twins third starter. The more I think about it, the more I think this is the best deal on the table so far. I love Ellsbury, but getting him meant creating a huge hole in the rotation. All things considered, I'd rather have Crisp and Lester than Ellsbury alone.

Your thoughts?

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My thoughts?

Jennie Finch. Sharing Twins nachos with me at the Homerdome. "Jennie, whaddya say me and you head over to Hubert's, throw a couple back, and see what happens?"

by wcooley on Dec 4, 2007 10:35 AM EST reply actions

I must have

went to bed right before this news would have come through last night. This is a pretty hefty package, Ellsbury or not. I'd still much rather have Jacoby than Coco and always will, and unless Buchholz is included I don't think that will change. Still...those four wouldn't be a bad exchange.

And dude...you have front-page access...feel free to use it!

by Jesse on Dec 4, 2007 10:45 AM EST reply actions

I am

not thrilled about this package at all. I am not thrilled about Coco Crisp. I am not thrilled about Jon Lester. And I am not thrilled about Masterson. If your only going to get average major league talent, your just as well served taking the compensation picks.

In order for this deal to better than the Yankees package, Lowrie has to become an above average to all star SS. Or else Masterson has to become the new Neshek.

by TMoney on Dec 4, 2007 11:26 AM EST reply actions

coco

Coco Crisp could be traded and the Twins could go after Rowand..... Not likely but possible.

I am happy with the rest of the package though. but we still don't have a leadoff/high obp guy that ellsbury appears to be.

In fact I hope crisp isn't untouchable and that we go out and find a real leadoff hitter. Also i hope the twins still feel they have enough pitching depth to go out and get another hitter/ 3b.

by doofus04 on Dec 4, 2007 12:24 PM EST reply actions

my day is ruined

at least coco crisp play hard. but there is nothing like taking a guy the other team doesn't want at all. plus didn't jon lester just come back from a serious illness? can it come back? is he 100%

by JBrown2818 on Dec 4, 2007 12:30 PM EST reply actions

Horrible news

I think this potential trade is absolutely ridiculous. If we trade the best pitcher in baseball, we need to get front-line talent. Only Masterson is anywhere near that stratosphere, but he is hard to project. Why settle for mediocrity in Lester and Crisp?

Kevin Goldstein states that scouts aren't entirely sure whether Lowrie will turn into a solid regular or a utility infielder. Is that really what we want?

Frankly, I'd rather just trade Santana straight up for Hughes than this. The Twins need more no. 1 prospects, and this deal sure won't do the trick.

by PhoenixV on Dec 4, 2007 1:17 PM EST reply actions

Put it this way

If the Twins let Santana go to free agency, they'll likely get a couple of prospects like Lowrie and Lester in return. If they take the Yankees deal, They'd get Hughes and Cabrera. Those were the only viable alternatives, since nobody else wanted to pay $150 million for Santana.

I'll take this package because it fills more holes this year and makes the Twins better now.

As for how Lowrie projects, look at his numbers, which are very good for a shortstop. If the Twins want him, I think we can give them the benefit of the doubt that he'll be a solid everyday shortstop for a while--probably an upgrade overall from Bartlett.

Crisp is the classic center fielder you get for his defense more than anything. But he can be a valuable lead-off guy if he can return to form. It's a big if, I know, but the Twins think he'll thrive away from Boston.

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Dec 4, 2007 1:31 PM EST reply actions

What about the Dodgers?

I have been quietly hoping for a deal with the Dodgers that would net the Twins Kemp (CF) and LaRoche (3B) plus at least one other prospect to plug some of the holes.

I guess a deal for Santana needs to bring a stud SP since Garza is gone, so perhaps that leaves the Dodgers out.

If the current proposal with Boston (Crisp, Lester, Lowrie, Masterson) happens, how fortunate is Boston to both acquire Santana and keep its prizes of Ellsbury and Bucholz?

At least with the NYY deal, we grab their #1 prospect.

Not feeling real well with how this might shake out....

by jbohrer on Dec 4, 2007 2:07 PM EST reply actions

Rotation w/ Lester

Here's a stab at a rotation that would include Lester:

Baker (R,48 )
Lester (L, 26)
Bonser (R, 48)
Slowey (R, 11)
Liriano (L, 20)

Other candidates (0 starts):
Blackburn
Perkins

Looks like a bunch of #2 and #3 starters, but the jury is still out on Liriano.

by jbohrer on Dec 4, 2007 2:20 PM EST reply actions

Liriano

I think he'll be the number 1 starter by midseason. It'l be nearly two years since the surgery by then.

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Dec 4, 2007 2:40 PM EST up reply actions

Liriano

the biggest issue will be his competitiveness, can he hold himself back? I watched him two seasons ago in his one minor league rehab game for rochester in the playoffs and it was pretty clear he has trouble not cutting loose. He really cranked it up in that game because I think he felt good and I honestly believe that he re injured himself there and then didn't tell anybody because he wanted to be the man for everyone and take us to the playoffs. If he can hold himself back and not try and throw 97 with the power slider right away, I'm confident he'll come back to form by midseason. Keep in mind though that it's unlikely he'll be good for anything more than like 160 innings.

P.S. if Kelly Theiser reports again that a pitcher had a bad start because he didn't keep the ball down, I might have to kill myself.

by caseintheface on Dec 4, 2007 2:47 PM EST up reply actions

rotation

The rotation is going to be fine. also don't forget Bass, Deunsing, and R.A. Dickey as being in the running for the 5th spot in the rotation. I know R.A. Dickey who???? He throws a knuckler and that pitch does funny things in the dome. I bet he could be a successful #5 starter for us.

The problem is the defense at SS and leadoff situation for the Twins. Looks like we have musical IF's. Do we put Casilla and Punto at SS, Lowrie at 2nd, and Harris at 3b? That appears to be the best defensive alignment from what I'm reading unless Lowrie would be better suited to play 3b than Harris.

by doofus04 on Dec 4, 2007 3:11 PM EST up reply actions